Gospic Scrape Win at Botas Spor

Gospic edged a close encounter at Botas Spor on Thursday in EuroCup Women eighth-finals action.

Katarina Maloca scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the visitors from Croatia, who won 63-60.

Botas Spor had an excellent start, jumping out to a 13-3 lead, but they weren't able to make it count as Gospic went on a 17-4 run to end the first quarter and lead 20-17.

The Turkish team also began well in the second quarter with a 10-0 run, but again they couldn't press home the advantage as Gospic took a 37-31 lead to the changing rooms at half-time.

Gospic then opened up a 57-49 advantage with four minutes remaining and threatened to leave Turkey with a convincing win, but Botas Spor kept the game close to set up an exciting return leg on February 7.

Kristin Newlin had 20 points and 12 rebounds in defeat.

Umana Reyer Venezia continued to play like a team that is capable of going all the way, winning 72-67 at Chevakata.

The Italians trailed heading into the final quarter but then outscored Chevakata 28-16 to claim an impressive triumph.

Shannon Johnson had 22 points and eight rebounds for the Italian side, while Eleva Volkova scored a game-high 23 in defeat.

Shay Doron erupted for 36 points as Elitzur Ramla defeated MBk 82-67.

The Israeli team also got seven rebounds and seven assists from their start player.

Regina Palusna scored 23 and pulled down nine boards in defeat.

In Poland, fans witnessed a rare basketball game that finished in a 72-72 tie between KSSSE AZS-PWSZ Gorzow and Levoni Taranto.

Germany international Linda Frohlich led the visitors from Italy with 20 points and 10 rebounds.